Wild Oak Llamas feels it is important that people be aware of the potential danger we are placing our llamas in when we allow "man's-best-friend" to have "free run" in the llama's area. It is important to have the best perimeter fencing you can. Fencing for alpacas and llamas is often much more about keeping other animals out as opposed to keeping them in.
We have been given permission by L'illette Vasquez who had to experience this tragedy first hand & Cathy Spalding, the writer of the article below about a "family dog attack" .
Each year, month after month… and almost day after day… we learn of yet another alpaca or llama attacked by the family dog or by a group of domestic dogs allowed to run unsupervised beyond the confines of the owner’s property. The dogs often meet up with others and form a somewhat secret renegade pack. Whether by renegade packs or by our own family pet, an attack on an alpaca or llama by “man’s best friend” is a truly horrific experience and one not easily reconciled.
While working closely with Linda Tellington-Jones, I had an important and rather obvious epiphany. It suddenly became so very clear that without a basic understanding of any animal’s behavior, one would not be able to work with that animal to the best advantage. Knowing a dog was a dog wasn’t good enough. As a Companion Animal Practitioner, I would receive calls related to behavioral issues with the family dog. A common call was from folks who were concerned that their dog was barking and nipping at the heels of their children. To really assist, it was important to know behaviors specific to any particular dog. For example, if the dog in question was a border collie, while there still may be some question about the cause of the behaviors, the chances were very good that the dog was simply frustrated and herding -- doing “his job” as he was bred to do. If the dog in question was a golden retriever, it then was likely there might be a behavioral issue.
For L’illette Vasquez and her wonderful group of llamas, it was a typical Texas spring evening. She had recently adopted two dogs to live with her and her Great Dane mix, Banda. The dogs got along well and had formed a tight group… a pack. A few weeks before, this tight group had mauled a yearling llama so severely he had to be euthanized in the pasture. L’illette knew Banda as a gentle old guy, always getting along well with other animals; so, surely, he could not have been a part of this. She immediately removed the other two dogs but Banda was allowed to stay. Though completely believing Banda just could not have been involved, she kept him inside unless he was closely supervised. But as happens with all of us, it was late this particular evening and she was in a hurry.
Only a few moments had passed when L’illette suddenly realized she hadn’t checked the gates. She hurried outside to discover there was, indeed, an open gate. She called to dear Banda, and he immediately came.Banda was shut in the yard, and L’illette returned to the paddock to offer treats to her little herd. A two-month old llama, Alla Luce de Sole, called Luce (loo-chay), immediately came up. L’illette strained to see in the darkness as his nose seemed to look odd. Rushing for a flashlight, L’illette discovered that the soft tissue of his nose was completely gone. How could that have happened in such a brief moment? A deep sadness and horror swept over her. How could it be? Banda was her beloved companion. But this time, Banda was clearly responsible. Though Banda would be moved to a new home, the damage was done. Vinvenzio had died in the attack two weeks earlier, and now his half sibling, Luce, was horribly disfigured.
Luce has lost a major portion of his nose (nose close-up)
Great Danes were originally bred to hunt wild boar as L’illette discovered only after the attacks. The Great Dane is considered likely the descendent of the old English mastiff and the Irish wolfhound. They are a German breed and are nicknamed the “Apollo of Dogs.” Considered to be fearless game hunters, the ancestors of the Great Dane were used in war and hunting. Because of speed, strength, and stamina, they earned a reputation as skillful hunters of wild boar in Germany by the 14th century. Amazingly, Great Danes are considered to be a housedog in current times. That notion aside, genetics run strong. While a young llama is not a wild boar, “bred to hunt” is the key. Banda was aging for a Great Dane and had been L’illette’s almost constant companion. She was torn between great sadness and relief in sending Banda off to a new home. It was easy to fall into debilitating guilt and remorse, while she also knew there was no future for any of them in that place. It was either Banda or the llamas – it simply was not safe for them to share the same space. The good news was that a local Great Dane Rescue would try to place Banda, and they had very stringent adoption requirements. Banda was a wonderful companion… he simply was not a good choice around livestock.
L’illette immediately consulted with veterinarians and a number of experienced camelid people. Many of her llama contacts felt it best that Luce be euthanized.One veterinarian consulted with Texas A&M about the possibility of reconstructive surgery, but it was decided that could actually cause more harm than good.It became the general veterinary consensus that Luce would likely experience a shortened life span, as he would always be more prone to maladies, including upper respiratory infections.
There was little blood immediately after the trauma and, fortunately, no damage to the nasal passage itself. Luce seemed to be doing well enough, but dangling tissue would need to be trimmed as it died away. Healing actually became a problem. As tissue regenerated, it seemed to be closing over his nose making breathing more difficult. There was an additional possibility of granular tissue development closing off the nasal passage altogether. Flies were a constant and controlled with a fly bonnet. Luce needed to be watched closely for any sign of an upper respiratory or sinus infection. He was now particularly susceptible to them, as the cilia-bearing tissues were no longer present to filter his air intake.Seemingly innocuous things such as dust, pollen, flies, mosquitoes or smoke put him at risk for respiratory difficulties. He had lost all of the soft tissue from the septum to the end of his nose. While nursing was an initial problem and obviously painful, Luce determinedly figured out the best angle for himself.
Luce (full head shot)
L’illette found she was overwhelmed. She felt guilty, fearful, somewhat alone and unsure of all the things that might be important to be doing for Luce. She watched him constantly. Was his occasional mouth breathing the result of a spit argument amidst the herd or was it something else?Did he seem to be breathing heavily? Was he more or less energetic today? There seemed to be some psychological issues as a result of the attack. He didn’t seem to play as much or even have a great deal of energy. Would that change? Would his joyful personality return? And Luce was to have been her show llama… sigh…
As time passed, Luce seemed to have a stronger than usual dependence upon his mother and a clear lack of self-confidence in his interactions with the herd. Weaning was especially difficult, and he refused to be contained by five-foot fencing. His dam seemed particularly attached to him as well. Though she rarely allowed nursing, she seemed to encourage his closeness and nuzzling. Luce would go directly to her whenever he was stressed, and she reacted protectively. L’illette was advised that by allowing Luce to be with his mom for this extended time, she had likely made the possibility of separation more difficult. Perhaps… but perhaps moms of all species are more specifically attentive to their children who suffer physical disabilities or injury. It seems entirely reasonable that weaning may have proven even more traumatic at an earlier age. Fence jumping was dangerous in and of itself. If Luce did not quite clear the five feet, there were additional possibilities for injury. What could be done to assist Luce in becoming more secure and self-confident? He seemed emotionally immature, but further trauma needed to be avoided. L’illette began taking Luce and a llama companion on short trips to the local park. Luce hummed a great deal initially, but soon began to enjoy the outings. She used an obstacle course – aka confidence course – to encourage Luce to think, make decisions and act independently.
Over time, Luce began to gain confidence. He began to replace the security of his mother with the companionship of other boys his age. He began to wrestle and play. He was able to hold his own with the other boys. Yet, he seemed unusually fragile.
Luce was now 14 months old. He was weaned and seemed to get along well with the other young males. Still, there remained occasions where he simply did not seem well. He would breathe through his mouth, groan, seem more passive towards others and would have some nasal discharge. L’illette’s veterinarian would prescribe medication for his discharge and a strong regiment of antibiotics. Possibly, his breathing would always make louder and more unusual noises, but how could she know without a visit from the vet?
Life seems to close one door just as it invites us through another. L’illette was invited to move to Colorado and work with Bobra Goldsmith at Rocky Mountain Llamas. All her llamas could come, too! Initially, there seemed to be a bit of jostling and a few disagreements within Luce’s small bachelor herd, but he was growing up and showing strong signs of being more secure and settled in himself. He flourished in the adventure of his new surroundings.Luce was blemished, yes; but the beauty of his spirit began to blossom in his every movement. He displayed great interest in his new world and had the strength of survival and courage.
The dream of Luce becoming a halter champion vanished the night of the dog attack. But perhaps there truly are silver linings. Luce is now an incredibly gentle and tolerant four-year old. He enjoys outings. He enjoys children. L’illette watches this amazing llama cavort in the pasture unaware that others tend to recoil when they see his face. She thinks of the children and adults who are disabled or disfigured, about those who are shunned, stared at, and made to feel “less than” and ashamed. She wonders if perhaps Luce could be a catalyst for breaking through barriers that prevent a child from interacting with their environment. Perhaps his disfigurement, which takes a back seat to his enthusiasm, courage and spirit, will inspire others as it has herself.
Luce is learning all manner of skills while enjoying life roaming about the pastures of Rocky Mountain Llamas. He is doing very well in his obstacle training and truly enjoys getting out and about. However, there are those daily “details.” As predicted by the local veterinarian, the exposed cartilage on his nose is also subject to repeated sun burns. Sun block lotion does not work, and he will develop various skin conditions if his nose area is not protected from the sun. While the veterinarian considers a skin graft to protect the cartilage, L’illette has fashioned Luce a clever protective“nose bonnet.”
Luce with nose bonnet
Luce wears it each day, and it is removed at night. He seems to understand how important it is for him and offers no objections to wearing it.
Dog attacks are becoming more and more commonplace. Unfortunately, most alpacas and llamas do not survive these attacks. Today, the threat of wild animal attack in suburban and the immediately surrounding county areas is low. There can be the occasional bear or cougar displaced and forced by property development to seek food. This threat, however, skyrockets when it comes to dogs. CBS has reported that dogs bite about 4.7 million people each year, with one million of those needing medical attention. Approximately 12 of those people will die. Many will acquire dogs with no known history as “rescues” from local shelters. Others may acquire breeds of dogs that are totally unsuitable for that particular placement. Others will not spay or neuter and feel it is a given right that a dog be allowed to run free. Many are simply unaware of the dangerous possibilities.
What can be done? Authorities and shelters do their best to educate and screen folks, but have said it will never be possible to control the choices one might make in acquiring a dog. With that, we must take the initiative and do our best to protect our animals. Unfortunately, our alpacas and llamas are typically either curious or will attempt to run away. In turning and running, they provide signals for the dog to chase and attack. It is important to have the best perimeter fencing you can. Fencing for alpacas and llamas is often much more about keeping other animals out as opposed to keeping them in. Make sure your fencing is high enough without obvious openings that could allow entry. Extending the fencing below the ground surface or running a low strand of electric wire can help deter dogs from digging. Pay attention to your own family dog. Understand the particular needs and behaviors of any specific breed or potential combination of breeds. Does your dog show interest in the alpacas or llamas? Does he think it is fun to play chase? Does he nip at their heels, or have you ever noted a small bit of fiber in his mouth? Will he bark and run a fence line if the alpacas or llamas are running, pronking or wrestling? How does he behave during routine medical care or shearing when the alpaca or llama may be showing signs of fear, stress or even aggression? In most all cases, it is the wiser choice to provide a fenced area for your family dog out of reach of the alpacas and llamas unless supervised.
Do not allow your dogs to run free. Banda was a very sweet and gentle old guy. Unfortunately, he participated with two adopted dogs in a deathly attack; and even when those dogs were no longer around, he still seriously disfigured tiny Luce. It was an unspeakably horrible situation that suddenly brought total chaos to what had been a typical Texas spring evening.
